Leicester City have little excuse not to sign a right-back in the January transfer window after James Justin's torrid time this season. Through individual errors and bad luck, Justin has become the scapegoat among supporters.

After his mistake led to Leon Bailey's winner at Aston Villa last week, the need for a new face in the position has grown greater. Ricardo Pereira is set to be out until March and with it being a hamstring injury, he isn't expected to be up to speed for Premier League football immediately.

The Telegraph has reported that the Foxes aren't expected to spend large sums of money this window due to their issues with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules, but it is understood that their primary focus is on 'cheap full-backs'.

READ MORE: Ruud van Nistelrooy explains two criteria Leicester City transfers must meet in 'delicate' hunt

READ MORE: Club confirm 'overseas transfer' as right-back statement sparks Leicester City theory

In 2023, Leicester paid £17million for Victor Kristiansen from Copenhagen. The deal didn't help keep the club in the league and he has only started featuring regularly upon their promotion after spending last year in Italy with Bologna.

Good full-backs come at a premium and Leicester face an uneasy task at bolstering Van Nistelrooy. So, what are some of the better options out there? We take a look at four different types of right-backs City may target.

Loan market

Premier League rules mean Leicester are prohibited in what they can do in the loan market. Rules restrict the number of loans allowed over the season. Facundo Buonanotte and Odsonne Edouard are currently on loan at the King Power Stadium but there is hope the latter's deal can be cancelled.

Clubs are allowed a maximum of four loans over the season but only two from an English club. If Leicester wanted to save money and 'try before you buy', options across Europe are there.

Bayern Munich's Josip Stanisic could be available after missing the first-half of the season. The Croatia international helped Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga last season and isn't expected to be back in Bayern's team with Konrad Laimer used often by Vincent Kompany.

One name mentioned in the transfer rumour mill since the window opened is Southampton's Kyle Walker-Peters. The former England international's contract expires at the end of the season and Leicester have been linked with him.

This window is the final opportunity for the Saints to cash-in on Walker-Peters. The 27-year-old has played 133 times in the Premier League and can play at left-back and right-back, making him a valuable asset for the Foxes.

Leicester have been expected to use the Dutch market under Van Nistelrooy and Ajax's Anton Gaaei could be available having only started eight games this season. At 22, the Dane is an attacking wing-back who was scouted by Premier League sides before his move from Vigborg.

Ruud's contact

"I am looking at my network, having played in a couple of countries and more clubs," Van Nistelrooy said. "It's important to use my network in opportunities to strengthen the squad. We're looking everywhere."

Van Nistelrooy played for clubs in England, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands during his decorated playing career and has worked as a coach at PSV, Manchester United and the Dutch national team.

That's why the number of quality options he could turn to is quite long. Jordan Teze worked with the Leicester boss at PSV and offers versatility across the backline. He joined AS Monaco in the summer but has barely featured meaning a reunion isn't impossible.

Devyne Rensch, who is Ajax's first-choice right-back, is another Dutchman Van Nistelrooy will be aware of. The Netherlands international boasts impressive statistics going forward - 89.5% pass completion rate and 5.17 progressive passes per 90 minutes.

The 21-year-old has been linked with moves to Liverpool and AS Roma this season but no move has emerged yet.

Hans Hateboer is a Dutchman currently playing in Ligue 1 with Rennes. After playing over 240 times for Atalanta in Italy, the 31-year-old offers experience that would cost very little, but may take some convincing to drop regular football at Roazhon Park.

A favourite of mine on this list is Denso Kasius. At the age of 22, the AZ Alkmaar defender has played over 100 times across spells with Bologna and Rapid Vienna. He has only started six times for AZ but his attacking prowess and experience at senior football means he could be available for close to his €3million (£2.5m) market value (via Transfermarkt.com).

The final name on this list comes from FC Twente's Bart van Rooij. The 23-year-old moved to the Reds in the summer and has featured in the Europa League five times - impressing against Manchester United, OGC Nice and Lazio.

Experienced heads

Experience may be key for Leicester. Van Nistelrooy pointed to Jordan Ayew's history for his reasoning to start him over the talented Buonanotte. Minus Conor Coady and Jannik Vestergaard, City's defence is somewhat lacking experience.

A number of players are dotted around Europe, at a good age, who could be available for the next step of their career. Rather than the hidden gems waiting to fill their potential, these players have played for years and offer a decent track record.

Zeki Celik has been a regular for Roma since his move to the club in 2022 but he has entered the final 18 months of his contract. Managed by Foxes favourite Claudio Ranieri, the Turkey international wouldn't cost loads with Roma well-stocked with options behind him.

After successful spells with Blackpool and Queens Park Rangers, Bright Osayi-Samuel has attracted plenty of interest with his performances with Fenerbahce. Contracted to the Turkish giants until the summer, the Nigerian is an attacking wing-back and has been Jose Mourinho's first-choice full-back this season.

German full-back Josha Vagnoman is one of the defenders in the Bundesliga seemingly linked with a possible move to England every window. After bursting onto the scene at Hamburger, the 24-year-old is now plying his trade with VfB Stuttgart.

With 18 months on his contract, the versatile right-back could be available with Stuttgart facing the prospect of selling players if they miss out on European football, although they are currently competing in the Champions League.

Cheap gambles

The signings of Bilal El Khannouss and Abdul Fatawu proved that Leicester know how successful they can be with unknown signings with potential to tap into.

Just like they did with Patson Daka in 2022, Red Bull Salzburg's factory of talent could be attractive for City. Amar Dedic has impressed Man United and Liverpool scouts this season. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international is highly-rated by Salzburg but is expected to secure a move to one of Europe's big leagues soon.

Joe Scally is another young, talented wing-back who should be on the radar of Premier League clubs. The USMNT international is expected to be Mauricio Pochettino's first choice right-back for the 2026 World Cup and at 22, would be smart business by the Foxes.

Another club they have had success with is Genk. El Khannouss' summer move has worked a treat and Zakaria El Ouahdi could be the next Moroccan switching the Cegeka Arena for the King Power Stadium.

Since moving to the Belgian giants, El Ouahdi has become their first-choice right-back and was close to joining Benfica in the summer transfer window.

Finally, Yukhym Konoplya is the final wildcard option for Leicester to consider. He was impressive in Ukraine's Euro 2024 campaign and has followed that up with some decent displays in the Champions League for Shakhtar Donetsk.